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This week, we present responses to the following challenges: Waiting. There is no anticipation quite like the days counting down to Christmas morning or another holiday that is meaningful to you and your family. Write about how that felt for you as a young child — or how it still feels today. And general writing.
Prompt: Waiting
By Kelly Daigle
Age 17, Bradford, Vt.
As a child, Christmas felt like a dream.
It felt like such a day couldn’t exist,
like we would wake up to December 26
and go on with our lives like normal.
Christmas felt like not being able to sleep,
like thinking, If I stay awake long enough,
I’ll hear Santa. I’ll see him!
and then being pulled into a grudging slumber.
It felt like waking up at 5 a.m.
and waiting for my older brother to wake up,
playing my tiny pink D.S. in my other brother’s room
while counting down the minutes.
Christmas was bursting into my parents’ room,
jumping on their bed,
yelling and asking if we could go see the tree
(but really, we just wanted our presents).
Rushing out to the living room,
ogling at the heap of gifts,
my siblings and I would pounce upon them
like hyenas upon their prey.
Christmas was a day of wonder,
of snow-white magic, family gatherings,
the smell of hot chocolate,
and the feeling of home.
By Xavier Beaudin
Age 14, Bradford, Vt.
Waiting for Christmas, waiting…
Waiting for the bell to ring on the last day of school before Christmas vacation, waiting…
For the day when I can put on my boots and grab my board.
For my arrival at the mountain, where I’ll strap in and get ready for the fun soon to be had.
For those rides on the chairlift with just the mountain in front of me.
For the moment I hit the first jump and stick the landing.
For the completion of my first run and readiness for another.
For that smile on my face as I leave the mountain.
I am waiting for a snowboarding Christmas.
Prompt: General, Featured CJP Response
By Olivia Sayers
Age 16, Thetford
I am lucky to live in a place where there are mountains in my own backyard. Sometimes I wish that I lived in a more populated part of the country, but it only takes one breathtaking sunrise or refreshing afternoon hike to remind me that I could never leave the mountains. There are things here that city folk just don’t have. For instance, if I want some peace and quiet (with a view), all I have to do is take a walk.
Being on top of a mountain is a completely individual feeling. It is a sense of accomplishment, astonishment, and serenity that isn’t found in many other places. My favorite time to spend in the mountains is during the first months of winter. Something about the cold air makes every sound about 10 times more clear.
One of the best things you can ever experience is waking up before everyone else to catch the sunrise as it illuminates the mountains with various shades of pink, purple, and orange. It feels almost as if time has stopped just for you.